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Yucaipa · Building on your lot

Grading and erosion control in Yucaipa

Yucaipa's own rules on grading and erosion control, with the code text for every value.

Each rule below links to the section of the Yucaipa Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Yucaipa's code says

Yucaipa code What Yucaipa's code adds
Grading without a permit
  • Digs of 50 cubic yards or less per site need no permit if under 2 feet deep.
    Applies: Or if they create no cut slope both over 5 feet high and steeper than 1 1/2:1.
    § 15.12.060 · code text
    An excavation which does not exceed fifty (50) cubic yards on any one site and which: (1) is less than two feet in vertical depth, or (2) which does not create a cut slope greater then five feet in vertical height and steeper than one and one-half horizontal to one vertical (1 1/2:1);
  • Fill under 1 foot deep, on ground flatter than 5:1, up to 50 cubic yards per lot, not blocking drainage.
    Applies: No grading permit is needed for this fill.
    § 15.12.060 · code text
    A fill less than one foot in depth placed on natural grade with a slope flatter than five horizontal to one vertical (5:1), which does not exceed fifty (50) cubic yards on any one lot and does not obstruct a drainage course.
  • No permit for basement and footing digs under a valid building or construction permit.
    Applies: Not fill made from it or digs over 5 feet unsupported; the city may still require a minimum grading permit or soils report.
    § 15.12.060 · code text
    An excavation below finished grade for basements and footings of a building, mobilehome, retaining wall, or other structure authorized by a valid building permit or construction permit.
Rainy-season limits
  • No grading over 200 cubic yards from October 15 to April 15 unless erosion control is approved or waived.
    Applies: Permitted grading sites.
    § 15.12.340 · code text
    No grading work in excess of two hundred (200) cubic yards will be allowed between October 15th and April 15th on any single grading site under permit unless an erosion control system has been approved or waived by the city official.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

What are the grading rules in Yucaipa?

Yucaipa's code: Digs of 50 cubic yards or less per site need no permit if under 2 feet deep. (Or if they create no cut slope both over 5 feet high and steeper than 1 1/2:1.) (§ 15.12.060); No grading over 200 cubic yards from October 15 to April 15 unless erosion control is approved or waived. (Permitted grading sites.) (§ 15.12.340).

General information, not legal advice.

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